Open-world sandbox games have enamored gamers ever since Rockstar came out with Grand Theft Auto III way back in 2001. Since then, the games industry has continued to grow the open-world sandbox genre. They have innovated video game worlds and stretched the very definition of a sandbox. The 2010s were a golden age for some of the best open-world games ever made.
Of course, not every open-world game is a sandbox. For example, Arkham City is "open-world," but the player is very limited in how they finish objectives. In contrast, open-world sandbox games give the player a ton of options to creatively finish their objectives. Or for the most part, just have fun messing around with the game's systems.
Horizon: Zero Dawn (2017) - 89
Horizon: Zero Dawn is set in a "post" post-apocalyptic game set in the far future. Humans have once again formed societies and various nomadic clans. The land is lush with beautiful fauna and lots of wildlife. Unfortunately, some of that wildlife happens to be mechanical beasts with steel for skin and pistons for muscle. Aloy must embark on a journey to discover the source of these mysterious creatures.
The game was pitted against the incredibly hyped Breath of the Wild, which was unfortunate because it meant the game didn't get the immediate praises it deserved. The setting was gorgeous, and the monsters were unique in their merge with machinery. Although many criticized the standard story and stilted dialogue, the gameplay more than made up for those shortcomings.
Far Cry 3 (2012) - 91
Far Cry 3 follows Jason Brody, a thrill-seeker who gets kidnapped (along with his friends) by pirates on some obscure island out in the tropics. After his brother is killed by the loud-mouthed pirate leader, Vaas, Jason barely escapes with his life and vows to avenge his brother and save his friends.
Even at the cost of his soul. Far Cry 3 shakes up the formula of its predecessors with a much more interactive open world. In addition, the game's villain, Vaas (played by then-unknown Michael Mando), would be considered among the gaming villain greats alongside Handsome Jack and Dutch Van Der Linde.
Minecraft (2011) - 93
Minecraft started life as a simple block-building game made by Swedish indie developer Markus "Notch" Persson. The game's full release was helped along by the development studio Mojang, and from there, Minecraft would dominate the world as one of the best sandbox games ever made.
Minecraft has been described by some as a "true lego building game," but it is far more than that. Not only is the world completely destructible (except for bedrock), there are mobs to fight, bosses to kill, and all without any prompting from the game. Add to that the game's constant updates and huge modding community, and Minecraft truly exemplifies the term "sandbox."
Divinity: Original Sin II (2017) - 93
Divinity: Original Sin II is set a few decades after the events of the original "Original Sin." Lucian the Divine has passed, and now his death has left a literal void in its wake. The Voidwoken threaten to overrun the world after decades of peace. Now, it's up to a ragtag group of captives in Fort Joy to stop them.
Divinity: Original Sin II's definition as an open-world sandbox game is tenuous, but it's far from inaccurate. It blends CRPG elements with a vast open world that is segmented into hub worlds. Within these hub worlds, however, the player has total freedom to do whatever they wish (within the game's systems). Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the closest games to capturing the tabletop RPG experience.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) - 95
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain follows Big Boss after he is caught in an ambush by the black-ops group Cipher. The ambush leaves him hospitalized and missing an arm. After escaping the hospital (where another assassination attempt was made), Big Boss takes on the title of "Venom Snake," and vows revenge on the people who disfigured him.
The creative freedom given to players on how to tackle objectives is the star of the show. Whether they want to sneak through the base in classic Metal Gear fashion, go in guns blazing, or simply prank the soldiers with inflatable copies of themselves The Phantom Pain encapsulates the pure fun that only an unrestricted mind like Kojima can accomplish.
Red Dead Redemption (2010) - 95
Red Dead Redemption finally brings the tried-and-true GTA formula to a completely different time period. The story follows John Marston, a former outlaw who is blackmailed by Agent Edgar Ross to kill his former gang, or he would be taken away from his family. Reluctantly, John Marston takes up his guns once more, to bury the past he has long left behind.
The story is both a beautiful love letter to the Spaghetti Western and a somber eulogy of a man past his time. It's beautifully told through incredible voice acting and a grandiose western score that gives Red Dead Redemption a cinematic edge that many games at the did not. Plus, it's a fun cowboy game, so there's really not much more to ask for.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) - 96
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is set 200 years after the events of Oblivion. Alduin, the World-Eater, has returned with an army of resurrected dragons to bring the world to an early end. The Dragonborn, a mortal born with the soul of a dragon, must stop Alduin at any cost. Give or take a hundred side-quests along the way.
Skyrim features a truly expansive open world filled with side quests and secrets at every turn. If they don't feel like beating the world-eating dragon just yet, there are tons of DLC to go through. Add to that an absurdly competent modding community, and it's no wonder Skyrim gets re-released every other year.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013) - 97
Grand Theft Auto V, in a franchise first, follows the story of three playable protagonists, each with their own skills and faults. Together, they commit grand heists and cause general havoc in the city of Los Santos. The game is the largest setting in the franchise yet and would set the level of content for Rockstar's future games.
The game not only has a darkly comedic campaign, but also a surprisingly in-depth multiplayer mode. For the first time, up to 30 players are able to play together in Los Santos. Thankfully, the city is large enough (and filled with enough content) to keep players busy for hours on end. It is the magnum opus of the GTA formula.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) - 97
In its 19th installment, the Legend of Zelda franchise finally tackles the open-world sandbox genre with an AAA budget. The game follows Link as he awakens to a world claimed by nature. With Zelda sealed away with "Calamity Ganon," the great evil that ravaged the land, Link must journey to save both Zelda and the world.
Breath of the Wild is a truly ambitious title, and as Nintendo often does, their ambition is met completely. The world is far larger than any LoZ game before it. Not only that, every inch of the world is explorable and has a fascinating story associated with it. There is no "right" way to go. Add to that a beautifully crafted art style that evokes Miyazaki's gorgeous filmography, and Nintendo has themselves an instant classic.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) - 97
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the first game and follows the tale of "newcomer" Arthur Morgan. He is a part of the notorious Dutch Van Der Linde's gang, and for a long time, he enjoyed the company of his criminal family. However, the age of gunslingers is dying. Now, Arthur Morgan must choose between the ideals of the man who raised him or save his family from the inevitable fate that befalls gunslingers in this modern age.
Red Dead Redemption II is a herculean effort, and unfortunately, there were many instances of "developer crunch." The game was delayed twice, and hours of content were cut from the game. Despite all that, gamers got one of the most fully-fledged open-world sandbox games ever made. Pair that with one of Rockstar's most memorable and ambitious stories to date, and there's no denying that Red Dead Redemption II has left its mark on video game history.